COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Department of Public Works

DATE:

November 17, 2008

BOARD MEETING DATE:

December 9, 2008

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

4/5ths

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

James C. Porter, Director of Public Works

SUBJECT:

Appropriation Transfer Request for Seismic Retrofit Work at the Northern and Central Branch Court Buildings

RECOMMENDATION:

Adopt an Appropriation Transfer Request to provide an appropriation in the Capital Projects Fund in the amount of $3,170,000 for seismic retrofit work at the Northern and Central Branch Court building

VISION ALIGNMENT:

Commitment: Ensure basic health and safety for all.

Goal 7: Maintain and enhance the public safety of all residents and visitors.

This project will retrofit the Northern and Central Branch Court buildings so that they will meet seismic standards, thereby providing greater safety for all individuals using these facilities.

BACKGROUND:

Existing State law (SB 1732) provides for the transfer of trial court facilities to the State by December 31, 2009. In order for the transfer to occur, the buildings must meet various standards established by the State. This includes improvements to enhance the survivability of building occupants during a major seismic event.

DISCUSSION:

The Northern and Central Branch Court facilities do not currently meet the State standards for stability during a major seismic event. In order to complete the mandated transfer of Court facilities to the State, the County must either improve the buildings to meet the State standards, or accept liability for damages that may occur in the future from seismic activity. Public Works retained a consulting firm to evaluate the buildings and develop estimates of the cost for the upgrades. A request was submitted to the State and approved for the expenditure of $2,750,000 from the County Courthouse Construction Fund to pay for this work. The entire cost associated with the Central Court building will be funded through the Construction Fund as it is entirely a court facility. However, as 20% of the Northern Court is occupied by the County, the County General Fund will need to pay 20% of the cost associated with retrofitting the Northern Court buildings.

FISCAL IMPACT:

This request will appropriate and encumber $3,170,000 for the seismic retrofit work at the Northern and Central Branch Court buildings, of which $2,750,000 is from the Courthouse Construction Fund and $420,000 is from the County General Fund to cover the 20% County share for the Northern Court buildings. The Courthouse Construction Fund currently has unencumbered reserves of $3,778,687. After the transfer of court facilities to the State Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC), the AOC will audit the Courthouse Construction Fund and sweep all unencumbered proceeds. Remaining balances and future revenues will be used to affect seismic repairs at the Northern and Central Courthouses and pay for the Court’s share of debt service at the Youth Services Center, Hall of Justice, and Traffic/Small Claims Annex.